HUDSON VALLEY REPORTER: HOME OF PAWLING VIETNAM VET TO GET MAKEOVER THANKS TO PURPLE HEART HOME VOLUNTEERS

PAWLING, N.Y. – Pawling Vietnam War veteran Dan Flanigan’s Pawling home is in dire need of repairs, but thanks to the Purple Heart Homes charity and a bevy of charitable businesses, community leaders, and elected officials, the house will get a makeover this spring.

But before it can happen, Purple Heart Homes needs professional trade volunteers to step up and help out.

State Sen. Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson), will join Purple Heart Homes co-founders Dale Beatty and John Gallina to introduce Flanigan to the community on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Patterson Fire Department in hopes of signing up those volunteers.

Purple Heart Homes, based in Statesville, N.C., was created by Beatty and Gallina, war veterans themselves who were wounded in Iraq, is dedicated to providing housing solutions for disabled veterans and their families.Those solutions can range from remodeling an existing home already owned by the veteran, to creating an entire living space from the ground up.

An initiative began in Mahopac last September when the community gathered together with one purpose: to build or renovate a home for a service-connected disabled veteran in Ball’s district.

Ball said that Pvt. Flanigan, a 100 percent service-connected disabled Vietnam vet, was selected after a thorough vetting process by Purple Heart Homes.

“It is a sad reality that this country has turned its back on our older soldiers who fought for, and defended all of the freedoms we enjoy every day,” Ball said. “Pvt. Flanigan had no choice but to serve in Vietnam. He received a Purple Heart because of the blood he shed for our country.It is heartwarming to see the immense community support we have received since we first made this announcement. Literally hundreds of local elected officials, financial institutions, small businesses and community partners have stepped up to the plate.”

The kick-off ceremony on Thursday is being held so interested professional trades and volunteers who want to get involved and can roll up their sleeves and pitch in to help renovate Flanigan’s home in Pawling. Those attending the event will have an opportunity to meet Flanigan in person.

Beatty (a CNN Top 10 2013 Hero) and Gallina will join Ball to explain what needs to be done to renovate the home and to sign up volunteers.

Renovation will begin in June tied in with Army Week Association. Work on the project is expected to take at least four months. An official Welcome Home Ceremony will be held for Flanigan when the renovations have been completed.

Those who would like to RSVP for the meeting or join the task force, should contact Ball’s office at kgobins@nysenate.gov or 845-279-3773.

The Patterson firehouse is located at 13 Burdick Road in Patterson. (ARTICLE)